environmental science : quiz 1

open system

exchanges matter + energy with it’s surroundings.

systems

individual components working together to accomplish a goal.

synergy

the whole is greater then the sum of it’s parts

examples of componets

storage, stocks, reservoirs

processes

flows, transfers. ex:photosynthesis

feedback mechanisms

equilibrium and stability

Flows

the movement of materials or energy within ecosystems, input and outputs

storage

area where matter + energy can accumulate for various lengths of time before being released. EX: a box

closed system

energy can get in and out but matter can’t

Isolated

Neither matter or energy is exchanged

reductionism

opposite of system approach, idea that if you understand parts then you understand the whole

emergent properties

are new characteristics that appear when parts of a system work together, but these properties don’t exist in the individual parts alone.

Hydroponics

A method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in water.

First Law of Thermodynamics

energy neither created or destroyed (ex: get what you pay for)

Second Law

Entropy

Entropy

chaos. the measurement of disorder within a system. the more chaos the more entropy. (ex: you don’t get what you pay for) energy not able to do work/ accomplish task. usually just heat.

equilibrium

balance. If a system is not balanced it will have higher entropy.

static equilibrium

very steady state of the system and time, straight line (not moving)

steady state equilibrium

state of the system is very moving, up + down.

stable equilibrium

state of the system has a disturbance but gets back on track . It’s feedback returns the equilibrium to it’s original state

unstable equilibrium

the state of the system has a disturbance but never gets back on track (feedback returns equilibrium to a different state)

postive feedback

BAD! equilibrium goes to diff state

Negative feedback

GOOD! equilibrium returns to original state

living systems

open system, contains characteristics of life

3 characteristics of living systems

Functionality, Sustainability, Evolution

Functionality

ability to preform a task or serve a purpose

Sustainability

capacity to endure; how systems remain intact, productive and diverse overtime

Evolution

change overtime

Transfer

flows through systems. Change of location

Transformation

Interaction within system, formation of new product/ change in state

side note: Transfers and Transformations can occur at the same time!

different scales

global, local, regional

ex of the diff scales

global: climate system

regional: forest, watershed

local: pond ecosystem